A pair work conversation activity with a writing component. One student reads a short story. Another asks questions to learn the details. It’s a remarkably simple, but challenging, exercise that forces students to think about their questions. This inquiry-based activity helps students develop a range of skills – reading, questioning, listening and critical thinking.

A writing and speaking activity based on Edward De Bono’s ideas about multiple thinking perspectives? Why not? The core lesson starts by looking at a roll of candy from six perspectives. The lesson can easily be extended to more complex ideas.

A writing class without a lesson about parallel structure? Impossible, I say. So, here it is, a lesson, suitable for high beginners and up, to help students improve clarity, grammar and style.

Teach writing?

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Save time. Teach well.

Cut your lesson prep time with this 240-page collection of ESL resources that stimulate language learning and critical thinking: awesome pair work speaking activities, logic puzzles, trivia, word games and much more. Simplify your lesson planning because teaching should be a joy, not a chore.

Image Credit: Featured image by Jaime González. Its use complies with the owner’s creative commons licensing terms.